Commission Report (2002): Poland

1.3. General evaluation

In its 1997 Opinion, the Commission concluded that Poland fulfilled the political criteria. Since that time, the country has made considerable progress in further consolidating and deepening the stability of its institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities. This has been confirmed over the past year. Poland continues to fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria.

The reinforcement of administrative capacity across the civil service is an important issue, recent developments have been mixed and further efforts are needed. In the area of public administration progress in the implementation of the 1999 Civil Service Law has been limited by the temporary suspension of the system of recruitment by open competition. It is essential that the pace of implementation, most notably with respect to recruitment, is accelerated so as to ensure that an independent, well trained and motivated civil service is in place by the time of accession.

Poland has made further progress in reforming the judiciary and in creating conditions to allow for a reduction in the most pressing bottlenecks. Efforts should now focus on ensuring that the progress to date delivers the desired result in terms of improved efficacy of the judiciary. Issues relating to judicial immunity are being addressed and should be followed up. Similar priority needs to be given to the training of judges, in particular in EC Law. While there have been ongoing efforts a sustainable structured programme of training needs to be put in place.

Corruption remains a cause for serious concern, a comprehensive strategy has been adopted to combat the problem. Substantial efforts are required to ensure concrete results, which to date have been limited, and in particular to develop a political, administrative and business culture which can resist corruption.

Poland continues to respect human rights and freedoms.

---

Next: 2. Economic criteria
Up: 1. Political criteria
Previous: Minority rights and the protection